Page 4: Research and development

The environmental analysis revealed clear opportunities to develop Portakabin's product presence in healthcare, so the company carried out research to create a product carefully tailored to this market. This involved working with external experts who advised on health implications.

To establish the required design, Portakabin's own architects also consulted with NHS Estates. Cost constraints were also considered: the new product had to be designed to stay within the purchasers' budget.

The next stage was to create a digital prototype. Modular wards were a new concept for the NHS and so Portakabin needed to educate potential purchasers. The company prepared support materials, including detailed layouts, images and a compact disc visual presentation to show the product in its best light.